How To Prep Your Kids for Safe Driving in 6 Steps

So, how can you help them prepare to hit the open road—while also putting everyone’s mind at ease? Here are a few tips that can help get your teen, and you, road ready:

1. Cut down on the distractions. There are three types of distractions for drivers that can put them at risk: visual, manual, and cognitive. Cell phones check all three boxes when it comes to distracted drivers. Young drivers are especially at risk, as they’re still learning the rules of the road and aren’t as experienced. While some technological advances have made it easier for drivers to keep their phones tucked away and their eyes, hands, and mind on the task at hand, it’s still not enough. So, create a checklist for your teen (feel free to customize with your own ideas, as well) to cut down phone usage and other distractions before they get behind the wheel:

• Pick your music/playlist before getting in the car (keep it at a reasonable volume so you can hear emergency vehicles, etc.)
• Buckle up, first thing
• Choose A/C, dashboard settings, mirrors, seat, etc. before putting it in drive
• Eat/drink before or after your trip
• Map your route ahead of time if you need directions
• Put your devices on silent
• Keep devices out of arm’s reach
• If you absolutely must talk, text or check directions—pull over into a safe spot off the main road (e.g. a well-lit parking lot) and do it there.
• There’s zero tolerance for drugs/alcohol/smoking/vaping anytime

2. Set limits. Phones and loud music aren’t the only distractions drivers have to deal with. Friends, even siblings, can take your teen’s attention away from the road. Limiting the number of passengers in their car can alleviate that issue. In fact, many states only allow one non-family passenger under the age of 18 to be in the car of a new teen driver. So, be sure to check the teen driving laws in your state and set some rules of your own. You may also want to limit driving to certain locations (e.g. within 5 miles from home) and to daytime or early evening hours. Many states already make it illegal for teens to drive certain hours, like between midnight and 5am, for example.

3. Seal the deal. Teenagers make lots of promises in order to get behind the wheel, but tell them you’ll need to get that in writing. Write up a safety contract that states your teen will follow the rules you’ve established or there will be specific consequences. Rules can include limitations we discussed above, like the number of passengers, loud music, distance limitations, driving curfews, and any other rules you see fit. Even better, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a pre-made driving contract that parents can download for free! Make sure you’ve spelled out clearly the consequences for breaking the rules (losing driving/phone privileges, getting grounded, fined, etc.). That cuts down on any excuses or arguments that may ensue.

4. Go virtual with a learning-to-drive app. Nothing replaces real-world experience but you can build some excitement for your soon-to-be teen driver and take some of the apprehension away with a fun app that simulates driving. You’ll find more than one free driving app (or premium app) to download online that offers video simulations, as well as driving and parking tips, practical exam tricks, and more. It’s a fun and helpful way give them a taste of driving before ever having to get behind the wheel.

5. Use a GPS tracking app. It’s normal to worry about your kids when they’re driving. You never know where they’re going, who they’re going with, or if they’ll make it home on time. Put your mind at ease by using an all-in-one family safety app that also has a driving feature. Apps like these let you spot your teen’s location on a map in real-time, save places they visit the most, set up location alerts, get insights into things like driving speed, hard breaking, phone usage while driving, and more. You can even opt for driver safety and driver history reports. It’s an easy way to get some peace of mind, while also opening up a dialogue with your teen about safe driving.

6. Be an example. A big part of learning is watching those around us. In other words: monkey-see-monkey-do. Good or bad, your kids will learn habits from you and apply them to their driving. For example, if they see you fumbling around for your phone, cussing at drivers, speeding when late, eating breakfast, yelling at the kids, shaving, blasting your favorite music/podcasts, or having a drink or two before getting behind the wheel—they’ll probably feel more comfortable taking risks, as well. Setting a good example, avoiding distractions, and being a courteous driver will go a long way toward teaching your teen to be a good driver, too.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Of course, not every teen is ready to get their driver’s license, even if the law says they’re old enough. You know your teen’s maturity level better than anyone—so before handing over the keys, think long and hard about whether they’re truly ready to drive. It’s okay to hold off if you think they’re not quite there yet. Fortunately, when that day arrives, you’ll have a few good tools tucked away in your toolbelt—like a safe-driving contract and a good family safety app—ready to go.